Morrison deal
is major coup

Glenn Morrison

Published:09:00Friday 07 September 2012

DEWSBURY Rams have pulled off a massive coup by capturing Australian Glenn Morrison as their new coach.

Morrison beat off stiff competition from ex-Great Britain international Paul Broadbent, who had been interim coach until last Sunday’s final game of the Co-operative Championship season, and the 36-year-old becomes Dewsbury’s first Australian coach for 65 years, following in the footsteps of Vic Hey from 1946-47.

Morrison was unveiled as the Rams boss at a packed Fans Forum on Wednesday night, having had experience coaching as assistant at Wakefield Trinity and with the Wildcats Under-20s.

Morrison brings a wealth of experience having had a 17-year playing career in Australia’s NRL and Super League with Bradford Bulls and Wakefield but he recalls his debut in England, ironically against Dewsbury in January 2007.

Speaking to The Reporter, Morrison said: “My first game was against Dewsbury and I’ve not forgotten, I’ve often cast my mind back to that night when we were knee deep in mud!

“I am honoured that Dewsbury have trusted me with the coach’s role and I hope I can bring some success to the club.”

Morrison’s first job will be to sit down with the current squad and discuss plans for next season.

The Australian added: “It’s never easy to put a squad together and there will be some tough decisions to make but I will sit down one-on-one with the players.

“With the re-structuring of the Under-20s competition there are going to be some quality players on the market, which Championship clubs will come in for and we have to make sure we are also in for them.

“When I stepped off the plane, I never expected to captain a Super League team and to be coach of a Championship club was a long way off but I have achieved more than I could have dreamt of in the game and want to continue that as a coach.

“That night in Dewsbury, we had lads getting strapped up in the showers, it was pouring with rain and we were knee deep in mud. I didn’t know what I’d let myself in for but I have enjoyed it.

“There will be some tough challenges and it won’t be easy but I always enjoyed a challenge as a player and I will be doing my best as a coach.”